Australia and New Zealand-based concert promoter Frontier Touring has unveiled a new management structure for the company.
Frontier says the new structure was created to “ensure that Frontier’s heritage, mission and culture are preserved and nurtured” following the death of its founder Michael Gudinski in March 2021.
Founded in 1979 by Michael Gudinski and part of the Mushroom Group, Frontier Touring is one of the most important tour companies in the southern hemisphere.
In 2019, Frontier entered into a strategic joint venture with AEG Presents.
Frontier’s leadership team will consist of four members of the current leadership team, all of whom are elevated to new roles within the company: Dion Brant as CEO, COO Susan Heymann, CMCO Reegan Stark and CCO Andrew Spencer.
The management team will report to the Frontier Touring Board of Directors, comprised of Jay Marciano (President and CEO, AEG Presents and COO, Office of the President, AEG), Matt Gudinski (President and Chief General, Mushroom Group), Adam Wilkes (President and CEO, AEG Presents Asia Pacific) and Dion Brant (CEO, Frontier Touring). Adam Wilkes will assume the role of President of Frontier Touring.
Additionally, Adam Wilkes is stepping into the role of Chairman of the Board of Frontier in conjunction with his role as President and CEO, AEG Presents Asia Pacific, a position he has held since 2016.
Wilkes brings more than two decades of experience in the Asia-Pacific market to his new role with the Frontier Touring Leadership team.
He oversees AEG’s concert touring, sports and venue development businesses – spanning 15 countries in Asia and the Pacific – and was instrumental in forming the joint venture between AEG Presents and Frontier Touring. .
Elsewhere, Dion Brant will serve as CEO of Frontier Touring. Brant joined Frontier Touring and Mushroom Group in 2013 as COO, working closely with Michael and Matt Gudinski.
He was instrumental in brokering strategic partnerships with AEG Presents and Chugg Entertainment and helping lead the company through COVID until his current return to touring.
Susan Heymann moves from her role as general manager of Chugg Entertainment to chief operating officer of Frontier, overseeing artist relations, content creation and development for the company.
With nearly 20 years in the touring business, Heymann will continue to act as promoter and oversee touring for Chugg Entertainment, and her new role will see her work closely with Frontier’s other joint venture partners and the internal team of promoters – Michael Chugg, Gerard Schlaghecke and Sahara Herald – to develop Frontier’s live business.
With 19 years with Frontier Touring and the Mushroom Group, Reegan Stark joins the Frontier leadership team as CMCO, responsible for all aspects of the Frontier brand, marketing, communications, digital and sponsorship.
After joining Chugg Entertainment in 2017, Andrew Spencer will complete Frontier’s management team as CCO, responsible for business affairs, strategy and business development. In a dual role, Spencer will also work with the AEG Presents Asia management team.
The four will join a larger Frontier Leadership team, consisting of Matt Gudinski (President and CEO, Mushroom Group), Michael Chugg (Executive Chairman, Chugg Entertainment), Gerard Schlaghecke (Lead Promoter, Frontier Touring), Adams Wilkes (President, Frontier Touring; President and CEO, AEG Presents Asia Pacific) and Marshall Nu (COO, AEG Asia).
Frontier says the next 12 months are shaping up to be the biggest on record for its more than 50 employees in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to Sheeran and Foo Fighters, 2022/23 will see dates with Billie Eilish, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, Justin Bieber, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Tame Impala, Wallows, Courtney Barnett, Leon Bridges, Tyler, The Creator, The Killers, Robbie Williams, Lorde and many more.
“I couldn’t be happier to announce our new Frontier Executive team. Mushroom Group relies on our excellent people, which we have always valued above all else.
Matt Gudinsky
Matt Gudinski said, “I couldn’t be happier to announce our new Frontier Executive team. Mushroom Group relies on our excellent people, which we have always valued above all else.
“I am thrilled that Frontier is led by four incredibly dedicated, experienced and strong leaders namely Dion, Reegan, Susan and Spence, working closely with myself, Adam and the team at AEG Presents.
“Frontier was founded on strong relationships, an artist-focused approach and an endless passion for music and I know that Dad’s legacy and the future of Frontier are in good hands. Exciting times s advertise for the company.
“Michael Gudinski was a man of endless passion, energy and creativity, with an innate sense of business, and it was clear that no one could replace him.”
Jay Marciano
Marciano added: “Michael Gudinski was a man of endless passion, energy and creativity, with an innate sense of business, and it was clear that no one could replace him.
“All of us who worked together on this new structure were bound by the same sense of duty: we are committed to properly and thoroughly defending Michael’s vision for the future of Frontier.
“Frontier Touring has an incredible team made up of some of the most talented people in our industry.”
Adam Wilkes
Adam Wilkes said: “Frontier Touring has an incredible team made up of some of the most talented people in our industry. I know we would all have preferred not to have had to make this announcement given the circumstances surrounding him, but everyone who knew and loved Michael also knows what his company and continued success meant to him and we are proud to work with Matt, Dion and the extended team to realize Michael’s vision for the future.
“Our mission is to maintain Frontier’s dominance as the market leader, and we envision a bright future for the live events industry.
“Furthermore, AEG Presents’ expanded partnership with Frontier, combined with its presence throughout APAC, provides us with the opportunity to more closely align our business in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.”
“For Frontier, it’s not about one individual or one leader, but about our entire team working hard to build Frontier’s reputation as one of the most respected concert organizers in the world. “
Dion Brant
Brant added, “You can’t replace a unique icon like Michael Gudinski, but you can understand and be true to the values that made him the best.
“For Frontier, it’s not about one individual or one leader, but about our entire team working hard to build Frontier’s reputation as one of the world’s most respected concert organizers.
“I am thrilled to lead the business out of COVID and ensure that we continue to provide the excellent service and care for artists and fans that has made Michael so highly revered and Frontier the company we are. are today.”
“It’s been three years since Chugg Entertainment partnered with Frontier and so much has changed in that time, we’ve faced challenges and losses that we never planned for, or imagined.”
Susan Heyman
Susan Heymann said: “It’s been three years since Chugg Entertainment partnered with Frontier and so much has changed in that time, we have faced challenges and losses that we never planned or imagined.
“But through it all, some things have never changed. We continue to focus on the same core values on which Michael Gudinski and Michael Chugg built their businesses and the ideals that brought them together; artists and fans first.
“While we can never replace Michael Gudinski, we move forward as a collective that shares his passion and principles and will continue to grow the Frontier Touring business to honor his legacy.”
Today’s news follows the announcement last week that Universal Music Group’s Virgin Music Label & Artist Services (VLMAS) division has entered into a global partnership with Mushroom, India’s largest group of independent labels. Australia, to support and distribute the releases of Mushroom artists worldwide, outside of Australia and New Zealand.The music industry around the world
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